Hi guys. This is a thread about points in relation with use Nebula with virtual amp software, how use it and possible future third-parties libraries.

In first the general idea is use the head of the amp in the virtual amp simulator and add forward instance of Nebula emulations of the preamp/ poweramp tubes, the equalizer section and the speaker to the final, like this:

We add the harmonics/ behaviour of the hardware components that we include in the virtual amp software from point 3 to point 7 with a chain of Nebula instance that describe the path of the audio signal across the different hardware components.

In the preamp tubes is not important the number of tubes, with a instance of a preset with a simple 12AX7 tube emulation is enough for all model of amps with that type of tubes in the preamp.

About the preamp I use a instance of 12AX7 of CDSoundmaster VTC in amps that use this type of tube in the preamp, and I use other instance of 12AU7 tube emulation too if amp have it together 12AX7 (like in some Ampeg bass amps), it must be located before 12AX7 .We would need 12AT7 too for some amp models (Fender, ...), but VTC don´t have this. A good idea is replace it with a 12AU7 emulation.

The preamp presets of amps from Producer Pack 2 from Cdsoundmaster don´t work well.

This library of Tim of presets with preamp (one 12AX7) + eq together of Selmet amp work well:

A very good idea would be a library of the preamp section with emulations of these options: solid-state/1 x 12AX7/2 x 12AX7/3 x 12AX7/4 x 12AX7/5 x 12AX7 tubes (even could select different options moving the fader of Nebula), with this we would cover a lot of preamp amps, apart if the amp model have rectifier tubes and other type of tubes in the preamp. Maybe it could be included apart in other instance together 12AX7, I think with 2 x 12AU7 and 2 x 12AT7 presets/ options would be enough.

We would need the eq section of each amp model with its own sonic signature, and it can get from eq section of Vox Valvetronix and its different models. In the case we haven´t the eq emulation of a model amp specific could use other with similar sound.

In the poweramp is important the type and the number of tubes too, 2x-4x-6x, you´d need a or emulation of a specific number of a type of tube in the poweramp, for example 2x6L6, 4xEL34, ... You can use one or more instance for get it.

Ideas for third-parties about make a library in relation to this:

About the poweramp, there is a lot of stuff in Ownhammer page, we would need 2 x EL84 tubes and 4 x EL84 tubes too, maybe KT66 stuff only for vintage Marshall JTM45 (Tim could make that library), maybe 6550 tubes for certain bass amps.

The Ownhammer poweramp emulations are great, but would be well make other libraries for work together them and get a better sound in the audio mix.

A very good idea would be make a library of a Randall RT2 or VHT Fryette 2/90/2...

...with different options of poweramp tubes even in the Nebula instance (faders for choose number/type). Why this hardware for do it?. Because it can be stereo, and the virtual amp simulator software is stereo too, the other reason is this hardware have parameters like density, depht, presence, etc... that let adjust the color of the tubes to virtual amp emulatior and let change the color in the case that you use the same poweramp preset in a DAW project when you use a pair (or more) amp models that have the same poweramp set, the parameters let change the color tubes for each one.

The options/ presets of poweramp tubes we would need for cover all amp models would be: 2 x 6V6/ 2 X 6L6/ 4 X 6L6/ 2 X EL34/ 4 X EL34/ 2 X EL84/ 4 x EL84, this would be the most important and would cover a lot of amps, and 2 x KT77 and 4 x KT77 for Diezel amps, 2 x KT66 and 4 x KT66 for vintage Marshall JTM amps, and a solid-state option for Randall amp heads and Roland JC-120 and other few amps. Maybe 6550 tubes option too. For get the poweramp of 6 tubes is easy using a 4x instance and 2x instance (or three 2x sometimes) together in the chain.

The amps have inserts in/ out for loop effects in its heads for add external effects with hardware. You can use Nebula emulations just as it is here or for add the analogue touch setting it flat to hardware effects that we include in the virtual amp simulator after amp head.

Ideas for third-parties about make a library in relation to this:

A good Nebula library would be about some factory presets of a Sansamp PSA-1…